The Long Drive Home

Just made it back home after my 13-hour drive down I-20, I-75 and the Florida Turnpike from attending Herald Gator's beat writer Joseph Goodman's wedding this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama. I've been to my share of weddings over the years, but I got to give Joey G, his new wife Sarah and the families for both props for putting together quite possibly the best wedding bash I've ever been to.

There were plenty of highlights -- including the coolest wedding cake I've seen (it actually looked like a collection of newspapers with articles on the bride and groom). Some home-brewed beer compliments of Mr. Goodman Sr. (I'm going to be ordering the products from Alabrew.com to make some of my own). An afternoon lunch trip to the world-famous Dreamland for ribs, mac & cheese and banana pudding. And a guest list that included Heisman winner Tim Tebow, Alabama coach Nick Saban, former Cane Lamar Thomas and Crimson Tide George Teague (Lamar stripped the ball back) and the ghost of Bear Bryant. OK, none of those people were there. But plenty Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel staffers (including our George Richards and their Shandel Richardson and Steve Gorten) were there to throw back plenty of drinks and enjoy the weekend.

OK, I know this has nothing to do with the Canes. But does everything on this blog always have to be? Anyway, I feel compelled to share something with you guys considering I've been on other duties the past week and a half and have neglected to share much in the way of the Canes. Truth is -- and many of you know this already -- I don't cover the Canes baseball team. Here is some good news -- we will have someone out the ACC tournament this week. Plus, if you want more -- I hear the Canespace crew will be out there. You can always see what they have going on over there at Canespace.com.

Meanwhile, my plan is to try and stick to giving you football and basketball stories and Q&As (I do cover those teams) as I come across them over the next couple of months. One thing I want to do more of is catch up with some former Canes, the way I did with Ryan McNeil two weeks ago (I've got an interview with former Canes quarterback Derrick Crudup I'm hoping to get done this week inbetween my recruiting coverage). Anyway, I think that might be the best way to provide some original content for you, stuff you won't necessarily get other places that has been reheated over 30 different ways. I hate doing that.

Anyway, I want to generate some discussion on here. I'm going to give you three topics based on some of the conversation over the weekend with some pretty annoying Alabama fans. 1. Where does your hate for the Crimson Tide rank as a Canes fan considering what happened with in the '93 Sugar Bowl and now with Saban as their leader? 2. What is the longest interstate drive you've done and why? 3. Best wedding and or wedding story?

P.S. -- Whoever said the Canes losing 2 of 3 to the Tar Heels this past weekend was an embarrassment is insane!